Lawn mower handle



July 15, 1952 H. F. DALGLISH ET AL 3 LAWN MOWER HANDLE Filed July 8,1948 5 Sheets-Sheet l I I I I I I I I l I I l l I I I I I I I I L -I I IL INVENTOR. HERBERT E DAL Gus H CHA LES ATWBLLNER mTBuMIIQ I July 15,1952 H. F. DALGLISH ET AL LAWN MOWER HANDLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July8, 1948 INVENTOR. HERBERT F. DALqLlsH C RLES Agfijuvm BY bqlb'm, n05- H.F. DALGLISH ET AL July 15, 1952 LAWN MOWER HANDLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledJuly 8, 1948 E .s m m MWL M VA mDW. EA .m E MW mm HC Patented July 15,1952 LAWN MOWER HAN DLE Herbert F. Dalglish, St. Paul, and CharlesWelliver, Minneapolis, Minn; said Welliver assignor to said DalglishApplication July 8, 1948, Serial No. 37,733

11 Claims. 1

Our invention relates to an improvement in lawn mower handles wherein itis desired to provide a handle suitable for use on a lawn mower or thelike.

Lawn mower handles of the usual type are of fixed length. While thesehandles are usually pivotally connected to the lawn mower so as to pivotthrough definite angular limits, the fixed length of the handle hascertain definite disad vantages. For example a lawn mower usuallyoperates to a best advantage when the handle is at a predetermined angleto the ground. When the handle is lowered toward horizontal position,there is a tendency for the rear end of the lawn mowerto rise up whenthe lawn mower strikes an obstruction, thereby lifting the lawn rollerand cutter bar when this cutter bar is located as usual, behind thewheels of the mower. If the handle is held at too steepv an anglerelative to the length of the handle.

An object of the present invention lies, in the provision of a lawnmowerhandle which comprises a plurality of parts detachably connectedtogether. In preferred form of construction these parts are so connectedthat the handle may be varied in length to compensate for persons ofvarying height.

s A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a handleformed of at least three or more main parts. One of these partscomprises a forked member designed for, attachment to the frame of themower. A second part comprises a tubular member which may be secured tothe forked member in telescoping relation thereto. The third mainportion of the invention comprises a handle member which extends intotelescoping relation with the tube previously described. As a result thethree parts of the handle are detachably connected together and may betaken apart for conservation of space during shipment or storage.

A feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the handle unitmay if desired be elongatedsufiiciently to telescope into the top memberthroughout most of the length thereof.

By adjustably connecting these two elements to gether, it is possiblethat the handle may-be extended so as to elongate the handle aconsiderable amount when desired. As a result my lawn mower may morereadily be used in cutting inclined surfaces, terraces and the likewhere an unusually long handle is of decided advantage.

An addedfeature of the present invention resides in the fact that thetelescoping handle unit may if desired be formed in two separable partsso that no part of the structure is too long to be conveniently packedor stored. In

place of the elongated member on the tubular handle, the handle unitcomprises an elongated shank anda cross bar member which are detachably"connected together for storage ofthe various parts-in a minimum ofspace. i

An added feature of the present invention lies in the provision of aforked end including a pair of bent members terminating in parallelrelationship for engagement/within a tubular handle. The handle element-mayalso c6mprise a pair of members bent outwardly atone end and securedin parallel relation at the other end for slidable' engagement withinthe tubular member. The tubular member is of sufficient width toaccommodate the parallel portions.

Other advantages of the present invention'will be apparent upon-a studyof the detail structure of my device.

Inthe drawings forming a part of our specification: Figure 1 is anelevation view of a handleshowing the construction thereof. Figure 2 isa longitudinal sectional View "on the line 22 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is across sectional view on the 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an elevational form of handle construction.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line of Figure 4. a

Figure 6 is an elevation view of another form of handle construction.

Figure 7 is a sectional View on the line l-'l of Figure 6.

The handle A, illustrated in Figures 1 through 3 of the drawingsincludes a forked end unit 19, a tubular unit indicated in general bythe numeral H, and a handle unit including in general the numeral l2.These three units are attached together as will be described in d'tailto form the completed handle.

The forked end ,unit it! includes apairiof tubular members l3 and Mwhich are provided line view of a modified acoaesa with parallel ends I5and I6 which are held in parallel spaced relationship by spacing blocksI1 and IS. The spacing blocks I1 and I9 are welded to the top ends I5and I5 and are spaced a distance sufficient to allow a clamping bolt 23to extend therebetween as will be later described. The tubular membersI3 and I4 are bent outwardlyin a common plane at 2I and 22 until theyextend in opposite directions in preferably a common plane as indicatedat 23 and 24. The tubes I3 and I4 then curve in the opposite directionas indicated at 25 and 26 so as to provide ends 21 and 29 which are invirtually parallel relationship. The ends 2'! and 29 are flattened asindicated in the drawingsand are apertured near their ends as indicatedin the drawings at 30 for accommodation of lugs on the frame of themower or with suitable handle attaching pivot means.

The tubular unit II .comprises an elongated tubular ;body havinsubstantially parallel sides ;-1I an d 532 31151 rounded ends 33 and 34.The roundedends 33 and Stare-spaced sufficiently :toallowthe-insertionofthe parallel ends I5 and .lricofithe forked end unit I0. Asillustratedin figures 1 and 2 of the drawings the bolt 20exten'dsathroughktheparallelsides3I and 32 of the tubular-unit IIbetween thespacing blocks I1 1nd. .'A.n ut -35 is provided on the :bolt20 tp clanipgthe forked end III togthe lower-end of rthe;tubularhandlehsection I I.

Theghandle eunitIZ includesa pair of tubular ;members;36;and.31:whi9h rprovided w -,-parall,el lower .;end portions 39 and 4!] respectively;iAgspacinglblock-fil is positioned between,-

A threaded cap nut is threadablyengaged -on A red -5I extendsdiametrically mat h .49-

through the cap nut 50 and is secured thereto .tmnliovide,oppositelydisposed arms by means of which the cap nut may-be easilyrotated. Means are providfid for holding the bolt-49 from rotationrelative to the tubular side wall -3I such aspro wvidinga square portionon the boltjadjacentthe head and providing a similarly shaped; aperturein; the tubular side wall 3 I The operation of the handle is believedobvious ifromthe foregoing description. Byremovingthe nuts 35 and 50 thebolts 20 and 49may be removed, whereupon the handlesection I2 and theforked end unit In may bedisengaged therefrom. j'Inuse-the forked end Inremains-permanently attached to the tubular section II and the nut:35,istightened.to holdthe end in place. By loos- :eni ng ,the cap nut50 the handle unit I2 may be slid longitudinally in theytubular bodyunit II vfronrone. extreme position where the end of the .handleunitabuts against the end of the forked end unit-to-a second extremeposition where the spacing bar 42 engages against the bolt 49. Ineitherof these extreme positions or in any inter- =mediate positionthecap nut 50 may be tightened 4 to clamp the handle unit I2 in adjustedrelation relative to the tubular section. Thus the handle may beelongated a considerable extent, a feature of extreme importance in theuse of the mower on inclined surfaces, banks, or over terraced grass.

The handle B illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings isin someways-identical to the handle Apreviously describedand the various partsof the two handles which are identical have been given similar numbers.For example the .forkedend unit of the handle B is identical tothe'forked end unit of the handle A and accordinglyis identinedbythenumeral III. The tubular-unit.,of1;the;.hand1e B is likewise identicalto thatofthe handle A and is thus identified by .thenumerall I. Thehandle unit however, differs somewhat from the handle unit I2 and thusis identified generally by the numeral 52.

The handle unit 52 includes a pair of tubular arms 53 and 5,4whichinclude parallel ends 55 and :56 respectivelypacing blocks 5.1 and.are provided between the parallel ends 55 and to hold these ends inproperly spaced relation. Theupper ends .of theparallel portions-55and55 are outwardly bent at and 6| to provideout- Wardly directedextremities 62. and 63. Handle grips 6.4 are mounted on theseextremities-62 and .63. A bolt65 extendsthroughthe.opposite sides.3l and320i the tubular ,unit II anda nut 66 is providedon thebolt vI55 forclamping the handle unit in position. relative to the tubular .unit ,II.. Theinut 6B may-be, similar. .to the. cap nut 50. or may be similarto the .cap. nut .35 .as thehandleunit .52 is relatively short and .notadjustable through any extensive: amount.

The purpose of the. constructionof the handle .3 ,is to provide .ahandle which is collapsible althoughnot adjustable through any extensivemovement. When thebolts connecting thevari- -ous partsof thehandle Bareremoved the handle isdividedinto .threesections, all of which arerelatively short and relatively narrowso thatthe entire handle may beeasily packed within the container ordinarily employed for the mowinghead of .the lawn mower. The three sections of the handle. areacompromise between length and widthand are of proper-dimensionstobeeasily contained with the frame of the mower and mower unit.

The handle-C illustrated inFiguresfiand 7 of thedrawingsis acombination. of the handlesJl and Bpreviously described and containsanumberofparts whichare identical to those previously described. The.forked end unit of .the handle C is identical to that describedinconjunction with handles A and Band accordingly is identified by asimilar numeral Ill. The tubular unit. II is likewise. similar to thatpreviously described in conjunction with handles A and B andis thus alsogiven similar identifying numerals. The handle unit. is identical tothexunit 52 described in conjunction with the handleB andaccordinglysimilar identifying. numerals are employed.

In the-handle C the. forked endunit I0 is tele scoped into the lower end.of the tubular-unit I I andis held in placeby a bolt20 having a nut-l5thereupon.

The handle unit 52 extends into a tubular section 61 which is similarincross section shape to the tubular section II but is ,relativelyshortin length. The tubular section 61 .has a bolt 89 ex nding through theopposite parallel sides thereof and a clamping nut 10. isprovidedonzthls accepts bolt 69. By tightening 'the'nut the handle unit '52 maybe attached to the tubularse'ction 61 with: the bolt 69 extendingbetween the spacing blocksfil and 59. V V r A'slidable section llisattached to the tubular sections bland I I to connect these sections.The slidable sections l i comprises a pair of similar parallel tubularmembers {l2 and 13 which are connected at opposite ends by spacingblocks i l andl5. The tubular members 12 and it are of similar outerdiameter to the pairs of arms 53 and 54 of the handle unit 52 and extendin abutting relation thereto. A bolt 16 extends through the parallelsides of the tubular section-63L and a clamping nut ll may be tightenedto clamp the slidable section ii; to the tubular unit 51. The bolt itextends beneath the spacing bar 14 and between the tubular members 12and 13.50 as to hold the slidable section engaged in the unit 6i.

A bolt 78 extends through the parallel sides 3! and 32 of the unit l!and a cap nut 85 is supported thereupon. The cap nut liilissimilar tothe nut and'is provided with a cross bar 3| extending therethroughbymeans of which the cap nut may be easily rotated. The handle Ccombines the advantages of handles A and B. It will be noted thatbyloosening the cap nut 88 the slidable section H be withdrawn from thetubular unit 1 1 until the cross bar l5 engages the bolt 19. The slidesec tion 1| may be clamped in either extreme position or in anyintermediate position so as to hold the handle at the proper length.Thus the handle may be substantiallyelongated when desired for operatingthe mower over inclined surfaces and the like.

The handle C also has the advantage of handle B in not providing anysection which is of substantial length. In order to provide adjustmentit is necessary to telescope one end sectionrelative to the centraltubular section II. It will be noted that the handle unit l2 of thehandle A is of substantial length and therefore can not be as easilypacked as the shorter handle section 52. By providing an additionalconnecting section 61 the handle section may be divided into twoseparate parts, thereby reducing the length of either part.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we

have described the principles of construction and operation of our lawnmower handles, and while we have endeavored to set forth the bestembodiments thereof, we desire to have it understood that obviouschanges may be made within the scope of the following claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of our'invention.

Weclaim:

l. A handle including a. forked end unit having a projecting shankthereupon, a handle unit including outwardly extending handles and aprojecting shank thereupon, a tubular member into which said shanks areinserted, means adjacent one end of the tubular member for securing oneof the shanks to said tubular member, and means adjacent the other endof the tubular member for clamping the other shank and preventingrelative sliding movement thereof with respect to said tubular member,said shanks substantially abutting in one slidable position of saidother shank.

2. A handle including a forked end unit comprising a pair of curved armshaving the ends thereof connected in parallel spaced relation, a handleunit including a pair of curved bars having outwardly directed ends,said last named arms having parallelportionsspacing means in-' terposedbetween the parallel portions for holdingsaid portions in spacedrelation, anda tubular element designed to receive said parallel ends ofsaid units. f r .1 1

3. A handle including a'forked end unit comprising a pair of curved armshaving parallel ends thereupon, a handle unit including outwardly curvedarms having parallel end portions, apair of blocks between said parallelarm portions andsecured thereto to hold said parallel arm portions inparallel spaced relation, and a flattened tubularmember into which saidpar-'- allel'en'd portions are inserted. I

4. The structure defined in claim 3 and including fastening meansextending through said flattened-tubular member between parallel ends ofsaid units;

'I 5 5. The structure defined in claim Band includnecting the same. l

6. The structure defined in claim 3 and includin'gfastening meansextending through said flattened tubular member and between saidparallel end portions of said units, to secure said units to saidtubular member, the spacing blocks between said parallel end portionsbeing spaced apart sufiiciently to allow said clamping means to extendtherebetween and to permit relative slidable movement between the unitand said tubular member.

7. A handle including a forked end unit comprising outwardly curved armshaving parallel end portions, spacing block means connecting saidparallel end portions and holding said end portions in spaced relation,a handle unit including a pair of outwardly curved arms having parallelend portions, spacing blocks connecting said parallel end portions andholding said last named end portions in spaced relation, a pair ofelongated extension bars arranged in alignment with said parallel endportions of said handle unit,

. means for holding said parallel end portions of said handle unit inabutting relation with said extension bars, a tubular body designed toaccommodate the parallel end portions of said forked end unit and theparallel arms of said extension bars, first means through said tubularmember and between the extension bars to hold the latter in the tubularmember, and second means extending through the tubular member andbetween the parallel end portions of the forked end unit to hold thelatter in the tubular member.

8. A handle including a forked end unit including a pair of outwardlycurved arms having parallel end portions, means connecting said parallelend portions and holding the same in spaced relationship, an elongatedtubular connecting member into which said parallel end portions areengaged, means extending through the tubular member and between theparallel end portions of the forked end unit to hold the latter in thetubular member, a handle unit including a pair of outwardly curved armshaving parallel end portions, spacing blocks holding said parallel endportions in parallel spaced relationship, an extension unit includingparallel arms and spacing blocks holding said arms connected in spacedrelation, means connecting the arms of said extension unit to theparallel end portions of said handle unit in aligned relation therewith,and means adjustably connecting said extension unit in teleseopmsrelation to said tubular mem her 9. The struetdre defined in claim 8wherein he extension member is. slidablyzreoeived in sa d 21 bularmember and retainable at a seleoted, posttion with respeet to saidtubular member by said last, named means.

10. The structure defined. in claim 8. wherein the extension unit isslidably accommodated in the tubular member and the last. named meansincludes a clamping bolt extending between. the arms of said extensionunit between time spaqing means thereof. and. through. said. tubularmemthe c a ping bolt when tieht serving, to preventsliding of saidextension unit.

'11, A handle comprising; a forked end unlt,i n eludin a pair Ofoutwardly ourved armshdvln parallel end portions, a spacin elementconnecting said parallel end portions and holding said end portions inspaced relation, a handle units including outwardly eur-ved arms. havingparallel end portions, a pair of spacing elements connecting and holdingsaid last named parallel end portions in spaced relation, said pair ofelements being spaced a substantial distance apart, a tubular memberdesigned to accommodate said parallel end portions of each unit,

mean or retaining. th @rked and un n med relation with said tubnlatmember, and; damn, ins bolt extending through said. tubular memberbetween the spaced parallel end portions Q1 said handle unit and betweensaid pair of. spac n elements to allow relative. slidable, movement be!tween said handle unit and said tubular member when said b lt. is not inc mpi en a ment with said tubular member.

HERB RT F- DALG J H,

CHARLES nnnnnnnons one!) The iollowin references are of; reooird in thfile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Nam Date D. 117,693 Kluter. 11, s. .1N0v-21. 19.39 271,471 Johnston Jan. 30,, 1 883 274,239 WhitQOmb Mar. 20,1883 1,084,165 Page Jan. 13, 1914 1,106,053 Nichols Aug. 4, 19141,112,190 Beazley Sept. 29 1914 2,281,923 Davis May 5, 1942 2377;142Cramer July 26, 1,949 2,511,160 Grobowski June 13, 1950

